County resident a victim of a phone scam

Comment

Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

Writer

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Updated Feb 3, 2013 at 12:06 PM

Posted Feb. 3, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Updated Feb 3, 2013 at 12:06 PM

Siskiyou County

SISKIYOU COUNTY – Recently, a telephone con-artist fraudulently obtained $950 from a Siskiyou County resident, stated a press release issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). An arrest has not been made.

This week, the SCSO received a report of a fraudulent phone scam in the Siskiyou County area. A SCSO deputy contacted the victim who reported he received a call from a male representing himself as a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent out of Sacramento. The caller stated that the victim was a person of interest in a narcotics investigation.

The phony DEA agent stated he was going to serve a search warrant on the victim’s residence and had an active arrest warrant. Then, the con-artist stated the victim needed to send $950 through Western Union to another Western Union in Poway, Calif. in order to stop the warrant issuance and court fees.

The caller stated that if the money was sent immediately he would not come to the residence and the case could be settled out of court.

After the money was sent, the victim was asked to call the court in Sacramento and the arrest warrant would be removed. An investigation ensued and it was determined that this was not a legitimate DEA agent and the caller was a con-artist and thief, stated the release.

“This is a good opportunity to remind all residents to refrain from remitting payments of any kind to people you are unfamiliar with, especially those calling you on the phone,” stated Sheriff Jon Lopey in the release. “Law enforcement personnel do not operate in this fashion and do not solicit money or funds over the phone. If in doubt of a caller’s identity or purpose, always ask for a name and return phone number. Do not provide identifying information, credit card numbers, or other personal information until you verify the legitimacy of the transaction.”

Call the SCSO’s 24-hour Dispatch at 841-2900, or the local police department if residing in an incorporated city to verify any claims of a caller having a law enforcement affiliation, or if the call is suspicious or criminal in nature, the release suggests.

There are a variety of Internet and phone scams out there and if in doubt about an unusual inquiry, contact law enforcement so that they can investigate the situation. This is also the case for suspicious door-to-door solicitors as well.

“Remember that some scam artists use legitimate business fronts such as banks to entice you to provide information of a personal nature which could later be used to steal your identity or defraud you of your hard-earned money,” the release warns. “Again, if in doubt, call your local law enforcement agency for assistance and support in these instances. If a caller already has your home address, it doesn’t hurt to ask them to forward their organizational information or request via mail. If they are legitimate, they shouldn’t mind if the transaction is handled via U.S. Mail in lieu of over the phone.”

Page 2 of 2 - Reports of phone scams or questions should be directed to the SCSO Dispatch at 841-2900.